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The Devouring Fire : A Country House Murder Mystery
‘Ingenious, well-written, leads you delightfully astray… excellent’ The Sunday Times‘Had me guessing completely… I don’t think anyone could possibly have solved that mystery. Very deftly done’ Arthur Conan Doyle‘Exciting, blood-curdling and yet logical mystery story’ TatlerLord Gorell, a leading light of the ‘Golden Age of Crime’ and co-president of the Detection Club with Agatha Christie, has been rather overlooked, probably as his books are so incredibly rare. Martin Edwards selected his first book, In the Night, as one of the hundred classics in The Story of Classic Crime in 100 BooksThis 2025 Spitfire Publishers ebook and paperback edition represents the first republication of this classic of the ‘Golden Age of Crime’ in almost a century
A clock in the gloomy hall of Robert Grimwade’s country house, struck the hour of eleven. In the servants’ hall, Murrell, the household’s well-groomed and discreet butler, relaxed with a stiff whisky. Outside the tobacco-plants bordering the lawns of the Grange gave out their gracious scent upon the undisturbed serenity of that summer night. But a far-less tranquil diorama is waiting to be discovered in the library of that fine mansion. Here Grimwade lies dead, bludgeoned to death, amid a scene of a violent struggle. At a stroke, James Latham, nephew and heir, became both rich and independent; he could marry when and whom he pleased. Retired Chief Inspector Simon Birch, not so recently of Scotland Yard, is thrust once more into a case of foul play, unofficially assisting local police sergeant, Harry Farrant. Farrant leads in the hunt for the murderer, investigating Grimwade’s domestic staff, business interests and mistresses.
About the Author
Lord Gorell was born Ronald Gorell Barnes in 1884, the second son of the first baron Gorell. Both Ronald and his elder brother, Henry, served in the First World War, Ronald earned the Military Cross whilst his brother was killed at Ypres in 1917, elevating Ronald to the third baron Gorell. As well as performing his duties as a British peer, he was a journalist for The Times, longtime editor of the Cornhill Magazine and played thirteen seasons with the Marylebone Cricket Club. He wrote crime fiction intermittently, his first, In the Night, was published in 1917, his last, Murder at Manor House, in 1954. He was co-president of the Detection Club with Agatha Christie from 1956 to 1963. Miss Evelyn Temple was perhaps his most interesting series character; a twenty-something woman of the upper classes with ‘a quick brain and a perceptive eye’ who starred in In the Night and Red Lilac. Lord Gorell died in 1963.
Praise for Lord Gorell
‘Lord Gorell has discovered something new in detective fiction’ The Times
‘A country-house murder mystery of the kind that became highly popular during the Golden Age… this novel surely ought to be better known’ Martin Edwards, The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books
‘At last something new has come from the mystery makers’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Lord Gorell has a nice ear for dialogue’ Dorothy L.
A clock in the gloomy hall of Robert Grimwade’s country house, struck the hour of eleven. In the servants’ hall, Murrell, the household’s well-groomed and discreet butler, relaxed with a stiff whisky. Outside the tobacco-plants bordering the lawns of the Grange gave out their gracious scent upon the undisturbed serenity of that summer night. But a far-less tranquil diorama is waiting to be discovered in the library of that fine mansion. Here Grimwade lies dead, bludgeoned to death, amid a scene of a violent struggle. At a stroke, James Latham, nephew and heir, became both rich and independent; he could marry when and whom he pleased. Retired Chief Inspector Simon Birch, not so recently of Scotland Yard, is thrust once more into a case of foul play, unofficially assisting local police sergeant, Harry Farrant. Farrant leads in the hunt for the murderer, investigating Grimwade’s domestic staff, business interests and mistresses.
About the Author
Lord Gorell was born Ronald Gorell Barnes in 1884, the second son of the first baron Gorell. Both Ronald and his elder brother, Henry, served in the First World War, Ronald earned the Military Cross whilst his brother was killed at Ypres in 1917, elevating Ronald to the third baron Gorell. As well as performing his duties as a British peer, he was a journalist for The Times, longtime editor of the Cornhill Magazine and played thirteen seasons with the Marylebone Cricket Club. He wrote crime fiction intermittently, his first, In the Night, was published in 1917, his last, Murder at Manor House, in 1954. He was co-president of the Detection Club with Agatha Christie from 1956 to 1963. Miss Evelyn Temple was perhaps his most interesting series character; a twenty-something woman of the upper classes with ‘a quick brain and a perceptive eye’ who starred in In the Night and Red Lilac. Lord Gorell died in 1963.
Praise for Lord Gorell
‘Lord Gorell has discovered something new in detective fiction’ The Times
‘A country-house murder mystery of the kind that became highly popular during the Golden Age… this novel surely ought to be better known’ Martin Edwards, The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books
‘At last something new has come from the mystery makers’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Lord Gorell has a nice ear for dialogue’ Dorothy L.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
4 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Gorell Barnes
35 books2 followersRonald Gorell Barnes, 3rd Baron Gorell, CBE, MC (16 April 1884 – 2 May 1963) was a British peer, Liberal politician, poet, author and newspaper editor.
During World War One, Captain Barnes served in the Rifle Brigade & received the Military Cross. Barnes succeeded as third Baron Gorell on 16 January 1917 after his unmarried elder brother was killed in battle.
After the war, Lord Gorell spent two years working at the War Office as Deputy Director of Staff Duties (Education), & then served a year as Under-Secretary of State for Air from 1921 to 1922.
During World War One, Captain Barnes served in the Rifle Brigade & received the Military Cross. Barnes succeeded as third Baron Gorell on 16 January 1917 after his unmarried elder brother was killed in battle.
After the war, Lord Gorell spent two years working at the War Office as Deputy Director of Staff Duties (Education), & then served a year as Under-Secretary of State for Air from 1921 to 1922.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 10, 2025
This was a good read for the most part. I do have to admit that the twist was a bit disappointing but it was pulled off perfectly well. The first third was very well done. The middle third and part of the final third is a little slow but it wrapped up well. Overall, I liked this, I was invested in the characters (hence the disappointing feeling when certain revelations occur) and I would read another by the author.
I have a collection of these old crime fiction books, published by Spitfire Publishing, and I highly recommend them. They're just as good as the British Library Crime Classics series, just a bit cheaper & the covers aren't as pretty. Both lines are meeting my desire for Golden Age mysteries. I recommend them both.
I have a collection of these old crime fiction books, published by Spitfire Publishing, and I highly recommend them. They're just as good as the British Library Crime Classics series, just a bit cheaper & the covers aren't as pretty. Both lines are meeting my desire for Golden Age mysteries. I recommend them both.
Displaying 1 of 1 review